Brazilian Rain Tree - Help a newb

[ashandb]

Hey all. Totally new to all of this wonderful bonsai stuff. I figured I'd post up the little rain tree that I picked up for the girlfriend about a month ago. I've only done very light grooming (cut back long shoots) since I brought it home. And I did a mediocre job of wiring a couple branches hoping to help shape it slightly. I've been trying to acclimate it to its new environment before doing anything too crazy. I'm really waiting for nice weather to put it outside.

I'm not completely sure on the best way to care for the tree in the long haul. I have been waiting for spring to do any heavy grooming, but I'm not sure if that's necessary. I figured I'd post up some pics to get some suggestions.

The tree came home with a few green house pests (gnats). My girlfriend talked to someone at a local nursery and they suggested placing coarse sand over top of the soil in addition to treating it w/ a pesticide. I thought the sand idea was suspect. But hey - it's her tree - and I don't believe the sand is hurting anything. I plan to remove the sand soon as there haven't been any gnats recently.

Sorry for the mediocre quality on the pics, they were taken with my phone, during the evening with garbage light.

Take it easy on the newb. I realize it's not winning any shows this decade, or next... or ever for that matter. Heck, some may even consider it "garbage material". The girlfriend thinks it's adorable and that's what matters

I posted a couple random shots, and a couple pics of areas that I'm not sure how I want to groom. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[A Random User]

when are you watering ???
and how often ???
Looks a little droopy...

 

[aidan13]

Do you have it under any kind of lights? It may not be getting enough light if it's just sitting by a window, or on a desk. It may be rough trying to keep a tropical alive inside during the winters in PA! I know I have a hard enough time of it here in NC.

 

[ashandb]

It's not under any additional lights. I keep it in the bathroom generally. It is the most humid & bright room in the house. These pics were taken in the evening after all the leaves have closed up for the day.

The tree has actually been quite healthy. Most of the vegetation has dropped that was on it from the greenhouse, but everything has budded to bright green new growth. Everything you can see has actually grown since I've had it in the last month. 95% of the old foliage has dropped. I've cut back as much as 4-6 inches of new growth in some areas.

And I've been watering it when it feels dry. I would say 1-2 times a weekish. It has also been sitting on top of a water filled humidity tray.

I'll try to get some better pics during the day with the leaves open.

 

[Ris]

It looks like a texas ebony to me?
Its planted in pure sand?
If its all sand am afraid it could be a factor of over watering or underwatering not sure.
I have a brazilian tree that droped all its leaves because of weather change, its currently budding now...

Good luck.
Rishi.

 

[ashandb]

It looks like a texas ebony to me?
Its planted in pure sand?
If its all sand am afraid it could be a factor of over watering or underwatering not sure.
I have a brazilian tree that droped all its leaves because of weather change, its currently budding now...

Good luck.
Rishi.

Naah, it's in the bonsai soil from the nursery. About 1/2 inch of sand was placed on top to help w/ bugs. It was recommended to the gf so she did it. I don't believe it has any watering issues. As a matter of fact, the amount of growth that I've seen would express that it's quite happy. From what I've read it's best to let the soil dry totally before watering in the winter months.

I'm new to bonsai, but I'm pretty certain it's a rain tree (it was advertised as such at the local nursery) and not Texas Ebony. Any clear indicators?

 

[mat]

Naah, it's in the bonsai soil from the nursery. About 1/2 inch of sand was placed on top to help w/ bugs. It was recommended to the gf so she did it. I don't believe it has any watering issues. As a matter of fact, the amount of growth that I've seen would express that it's quite happy. From what I've read it's best to let the soil dry totally before watering in the winter months.

I'm new to bonsai, but I'm pretty certain it's a rain tree (it was advertised as such at the local nursery) and not Texas Ebony. Any clear indicators?

It's definitely a rain tree. I have no advice to give on growing it in a bathroom, but your description of it sounds healthy to me. Nice little tree.